Sandy D'Amato

Make a date to try this autumnal slaw

Dates are one of the oldest known fruits. Could it be that they preceded Adam and Eve, one of the oldest dating stories recorded?

Although their date ended on a bad note, the sweet, rich taste of fresh dates has kept them a favorite throughout history. In fact, they are so sweet that I bet in ancient times they had the same commodity status as sugar.

It seems that dates have never found a regular daily audience in the United States, where they are looked upon more as a seasonal treat. So as the leaves start disappearing from the trees, this is certainly the season.

In today's recipe, dates become the balancing factor in a fresh, lemony, simple fall slaw. Standing in for cabbage is an underutilized vegetable in its own right that should be on everyone's radar: celeriac, also known as celery root. It's a husky root vegetable with a craggy exterior that, when peeled off, allows the vegetable's beige interior to explode with a rustic celery flavor.